R. Kent Clark New VP for University Advancement

Clark currently serving at California State University, Fresno.

Mankato, Minn. – Minnesota State University, Mankato President Richard Davenport is pleased to announce today that R. Kent Clark has been named the vice president for university advancement at Minnesota State Mankato, effective Aug. 1.

Clark, pictured at right, is currently the associate vice president for development at California State University, Fresno, a position he has held since 2011.

“Mr. Clark brings a record of notable achievement, knowledge and experience in the areas of development, gift planning and fundraising,” said Davenport. “His excellent background in managing comprehensive campaigns fits our advancement goals and our ‘Big Ideas, Real-World Thinking’ approach to global education. Kent has been a key leader in the planning, launching, and execution of higher education campaigns, some as large as $500 million. I am thrilled to have Kent join our campus community.”

Clark, who was one of three finalists for the Minnesota State Mankato position, has led a recent campus campaign at California State University, Fresno that raised $214 million as of March 2013.

At California State University, Fresno, Clark supervises a development and advancement services team of 41 and has overall responsibility for all academic fundraising programs for a constituent campus of the largest university system in the United States.

Clark has also been involved in a number of strategic planning initiatives at California State University, Fresno. Included are a comprehensive overhaul of fundraising structure, re-imagined alumni affairs model and university strategic communications and branding.

Prior to joining California State University, Fresno, Clark served in a variety of development and foundation positions at Utah State University between 2003 and 2011.

As Utah State’s associate vice president for development from 2009-2011, Clark supervised seven unit development officers in four academic colleges, development initiatives at four regional campuses and the office of development communications. Campaign highlights during his tenure in this position included a gift of $36 million.

From 2006 to 2009 at Utah State, Clark was a special assistant to the president for principal gifts. In consultation with the university president, he developed and implemented solicitations of $1 million and larger. While Clark was in this position, the university secured three of its largest-ever gifts, including a $15 million regional campus facility, a $25 million college naming and a $26 million college naming.

Clark holds a number of professional memberships and affiliations and is active in the Rotary Club of Fresno.

Clark earned a certificate in fundraising management in 2002 from the Indiana University Center on Philanthropy; a master’s degree in Biblical studies in 1996 from Cincinnati Christian University; and a bachelor’s degree in food systems economics and management in 1989 from Michigan State University.

Clark replaces Doug Mayo, who served as Minnesota State Mankato’s vice president for university advancement from August 2008 until being named president and CEO of the North Dakota State University Development Foundation and Alumni Association. Jeff Iseminger has served as interim vice president for university advancement since May 1.

Minnesota State Mankato, a comprehensive university with 15,413 students, is part of the Minnesota State Colleges & Universities system, which comprises 31 state institutions.